Tutorial How to Use Overlays

2025-04-24 • Marcin Zaremski

1. Download a .gpx file

• Get your .gpx file from Strava, Garmin Connect, or any app you use to track your activities.
• You can also extract the .gpx from your video if you have a camera with GPS (like a GoPro, Insta360, or DJI Osmo Action).
• The .fit format is not supported.

2. Generate the overlay

• Open the GpxOverlay App.
• Upload the .gpx file you downloaded.
• Choose a desired timeframe or select a video from your disk for which you want to generate the overlay. Synchronization with your video
  • The photo below shows auto-synchronization (green lines) and manual synchronization (blue lines).
• When you want to choose the timeframe manually, use the time on the X-axis, speed, or altitude to find where the video started or finished.
• Choose your settings and widgets.
  • You will only see digital widgets for the data available in your .gpx file.
  • Disabled PRO widgets mean you don't have the necessary data available in your .gpx file.
  • If you don't have the PRO version and use PRO widgets, a watermark will be shown.
  • For a list of all widgets, look here: Widgets list
• Settings:
  • FPS: This determines how smooth the video looks. 5 fps is sufficient for digital widgets because there is no animation. If you use PRO widgets, you might prefer using 20 fps. This is good enough even if your video is 60 fps.
  • Format: Choose Transparent Video or Green Screen Video. Green Screen is smaller and better for long activities; remove the green background with chroma key in your editor.
• Leave your email.
  • The email is requested just in case you encounter any issues. I'll try to help you personally.
• Download the overlays — you get one video per widget, plus a separate metadata video for syncing.
• Leave your feedback!

3. Merge the overlay with your video

• Import the overlays into your video editor — each widget is a separate video, so you can place them freely without cropping.
• Synchronize using the separate metadata video (toggle it on while aligning, off for the final export). You can also use autosync: here.
• Stack the widget videos over your footage and position each one where you want it.

Using the overlay videos:

• NOTE: In macOS or Windows video players, a transparent overlay might not be visible, but it will work correctly in your video editor.
• Sync metadata is rendered as its own video. Use it to align overlays with your footage, then mute or remove that clip — no cropping required.
• Sync the overlay by noting the time when you started recording your video.
  • Read more about auto-sync: Synchronization with your video
  • Tip: If you see a watch or bike computer in the video, you can use its time.
• Double-check that the video is synced by going to the end and ensuring both times (video and overlay) match.
• Done! Render the video.
• Share the video with me! I would love to see what you've created!
  • Send the video here

Sample videos:

• Col Du Tourmalet
• Mountainbike, Uphill
• Digital Widgets